Kerosene-carbureter.



C. J. MUNDH ENK-, KEROSENE CARBURETEFR APPLICATION man NOV- s. 1913.

1,246,305. Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

2 I7. l WITNESSES [MENTOR ,vjm m U aim-k8 .X MMM ATTORNEYS 0.1. MUNDHENK. KEBOSENE CARBURETER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 8. I9l3.

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Patented Nov. 13, 1917[ 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES ATTORNEYS .J. MUNBHENK.

KEROSENE CABBURETER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 8. I9I3.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.'

llIIl/flfl 514.4 n I m INVENTOR WITNESSES H. \7- WM ATTORNEYS CHARLES J. MUNDHENK, OF ELGI'N', ILLINOIS.

KEROSENE-CARBURETER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13,1917.

Application filed November 8, 1913. Serial No. 799,887.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES J. Mono- I-IENK, a citizen of the United states and a resident of Elgin, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Kerosene-Carburetor, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a means for and method of producing anexplosive mixture from keroseneand air suitable for use in connection with internal combustion engines.

In carrying out the invention the kerosene is converted into a gas, and this gas is mixed with a suitable quantlty of air to produce the explosive mixture, the generation of the gas being effected by the direct burning of the surface stratum of a body of kerosene and the drawing off of the rising gas from the body of kerosene at a point between the latter and the region where the combustion takes place. It is well known that when the surface of a body of kerosene is ignited the flame has its point of beginning or its lower margin spaced somewhat from the surface of the kerosene, and the intermediate space is the zone of gas generation produced by the heat of the flame vaporizing the surface of the kerosene. It is from this zone of gas generation immediately upon the kerosene and below thefiame that gas can be drawn off for the purpose of mixing with air to produce a highlyexplosive mixture, the utilization of which principle is the fundamental object of the present invention.

In order to prevent the generated gas that is drawn ofi from the zone of gas generation from condensing, this gas is conducted through tubes or other suitable means lying in the flame of the burning oil, so that the gas in traversing the tubes will be kept highly heated, to maintain a gaseous state when mixed with the incoming air to produce the explosive mixture. It is another object of the invention to so arrange these gas-conducting tubes that condensation is effectively prevented, and in combination with the tubes a pilot burner or starting wick may be employed to initially heat the tubes and start a burning of the oil for the production of the gas to be utilized 'in the engine, the design being such that the starting of the engine can be reliably and easily accomplished without the difiiculties now encountered with gasolene carburetors, especially in cold weather.

A further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for protecting the flame in the gas generating chamber from extinguishing by back drafts due to backfiring of the engine, or from drafts due to the wind.

Another object is the provision of means whereby the suction of the gas from the generating chamber will cause kerosene to be directed against ahot surface for producing vapor which is drawn out with the gas arising from the gas zone between the fiame and body of kerosene, as hereinbefore explained, the gas and vapor being mixed with air to produce an explosive mixture.

Another object of the invention is to provide automatic means for maintaining the level of the kerosene in the generating With these objects in View and others which Wlll appear as the description proceeds, the invention comprises various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be set forth with particularity in the following description and claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate certain embodiments of the invention, and wherein similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views,

Figure 1 is a side view of the kerosene carbureter;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the valve of the auxiliary fuel feed regulator;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the carbureter;

3 is a detail view showing the gas suction tubes and the kerosene spraying nozzles of the generating chamber;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a modified form of carbureter;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the kerosene generator in the gas suction tube of Fig. 4:;

Fig. 5* is a section view on line 55,

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 7-7, Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. A designates the body of the carbureter, which is chambered to form an oil reservoir 1 that contains a float 2 that swings from a center 3 and is connected at i with a needle valve 5 that controls the inflow-of kerosene through an inlet 6 that has a pipe connection 7 with a suitable source of supply. Within the body and forming the inner wall of the reservoir 1 is a vertical tube 8 of substantial diameter that has its lower end open at the bottom to admit air, and in the tube, which forms a generating chamber, is a gas generator B whereby the gas to be mixe with air for producing the explosive mixture for the engine is generated. This generator comprises a shallow pan-like body 9 that has in its bottom passages or ducts 10 all connected at the center with a nipple 11 that in turn connects with a kerosene feed tube 12 which extends transversely of the tube 8 and has its ends 13 communicating with the kerosene reservoir 1 at points to receive kerosene therefrom. The bottom of the pan is located below the normal level of the kerosene in the reservoir 1, and in this bottom are ports 14 whereby the kerosene will rise in the pan to a depth of about oneeighth of an inch. The kerosene in the pan burns from the surface, and in burning the liquid kerosene is first converted into a gas which constitutes a zone immediately above the kerosene and below the flame, the gas in this zone being too rich to burn, due to the lack of the proper quantity of air. A portion of this gas is drawn off from the generating chamber tobe mixed with air for producing the explosive mixture, while the remaining portion of the gas is used to maintain the flame in the generating chamber, the heat from which will continue the gas generation. The gas from the gas generating zone is drawn ofl through one or more suction tubes 15 which have their lower ends terminating slightly above the surface of the oil in the generating pan, so

that during the suction stroke of the em gine gas will be drawn upwardly through the tubes to the mixing chamber C arranged above the upper ends of the tubes. In the generator B and forming a part thereof is a pilot burner or starting wick 16 which is arranged within an annular body 17 that is fitted in the oil-containing pan 9. The lower edge of the annular wick 16 is immersed in the kerosene contained in the pan, the wick holder 17 having an internal wire gauze portion 18 through which the oil has ready access to the wick. In start ng the device a match is applied to the w ck and the flame therefor plays on the suctlon tubes 15, thereby highly heating the same, and when the engine starts the flame W111 be drawn downwardly toward the surface of the oil in the generator and ignite the oil, and at the same time heating the tubes 15 substantially their full length. The suction also causes the gas rising fromv the body of oil to pass through the tubes 15 and mix with air in the mixing chamber C. Above the wick is arranged a deflecting ring or equivalent device 19 which directs the flame inwardly toward the suction tubes, but when the engine is not operating the flame is readily passed upwardly through the restricted annular space between the lower end of the cylinder forming the mixing chamber C, and the inner edge of the de- 2 fleeting ring and enters an annular chamber or flue 20 which is open at 21 to the atmosphere, there being a baflie ring 22 around the said upper end to prevent drafts from entering the carbureter and extinguishing the pilot flame.

The mixing chamber C is arranged within the cylindrical body 23 that forms the flue 20, and this chamber C has an outlet 24 which is connected by a pipe 25 with the engine, there being in the outlet 24 a throttle device 26 of usual construction. The mixing chamber C has at its lower portion a check valve 27 slidable on a central post or guide 28 fastened to the bottom 29 of the suction chamber, and adapted when in closed position to engage a seat 30. The purpose of this valve is to prevent a back draft through the generator by way of the suction tubes 15 when the engine backfires, but during the suction stroke of the engine piston the valve 27 will automatically open and. admit gas from the suction tubes 15 to the mixing chamber C. Obviously, when gas 1s sucked out of the generator, air will be drawn into the latter through the bottom of the carbureter so as to maintain combus tion in the generator. The air for producing the mixture in the chamber C is admitted to the top of the latter through the top section D of the carbureter, such section being a chambered body having an open lower end 31 fitted in the upper end of the chamber C, and in the top portion of the section or body D is an air admission port 32 that is normally closed by a valve 33 slidable on a stem 34, there being on the stem a spring 35 which normally presses the air inlet valve 33 upwardly against its seat to close the inlet port. This valve 33 has ports 36 that are normally closed by a disk valve 37 resting on the valve and held in place by the stem 34: that passes therethrough. The valve 37 constitutes a relief for the back draft when the enginebackfires, as the valve 37 is free to open upwardly and, thereby uncover the ports 36. A hood or cap 38 is applied to the top of the section D and provided with air inlet ports 39 through which the air is drawn and in this cap the stem 34 is threaded at 40, so that the stem can be adjusted to vary the tension of the spring 35 there being a knurled head or equivalent means 41 on the outer end of the stem for convenience in adjusting.

If desired, vaporizing of liquid kerosene can be combined in connection with the gasifying of the kerosene as above explained. For this purpose a nozzle may be arranged at the bottom of each suction tube 15 to spray kerosene into the same, whereby the sprayed kerosene striking the hot walls of the suction tube will be immediately changed into vapor.. Where a plurality of suction tubes are employed, as shown in Fig. 2, the spraying nozzles 42 can be formed or mounted on a common disk 43 which rests in the kerosene pan 9 of the generator B, with the nozzles extending into their respective suction tubes, such disk having projections 44 in its bottom surface, whereby the disk is supported ofl the bottom of the kerosene-holding pan 9, so that kerosene can freely enter the nozzle.

In order to apply-a flame to the wick 16, the carbureter is made in two separable parts, one part consisting of the body A and an upward tubular extension 45 that carries the outlet 24, and the other part consisting of the body 23, the mixing chamber C and the air inlet section D. The body 23 of theupper part fits into the tubular extension 45 of the lower part and is removable upwardly therefrom, to permit access to the wick for lighting the same. The upper part of the carbureter carries the suction tubes 15, so that when the upper part is removed the wick can be readily reached by a lighted match, and to facilitate this the extension 45 into which the upper part of the carbureter telescopes is beveled, as shown in Fig. 1.

To regulate the flow of .kerosene to the carbureter the feed valve 5 is equipped with an automatic rgulator that depends for its action on the suction produced by the engine, which suction is variable with the changing ofthe position of the throttle. The upper end of the valve 5 is provided with a piston 46 arranged in a chamber 47 that has its portion above the piston 46 connected by a tube 48 with the outlet 24 of the carbureter. In the lower portion of the chamber 47 are ports 49, so that air can be freely sucked in when there is a tendency to a vacuum in the tube 48 incident to the suction stroke of the engine. This produces a lift on the piston 46, so that the valve 5 is opened and kerosene consequently flows into the reservoir l and raises the level in the pan of the generator. In the tube 48 is a manually adjustable valve 50, the stem 51 of which is provided with an adjusting handle 52, so

that by adjusting the valve the strength of the suction on the piston 46 can be nicely regulated.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the general construction of the carbureter is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 2, the differences residing more particularly in the gas generator B. The pan 9 is provided with a central upwardly-discharging kerosene nozzle 53 which extends upwardly into a centrally disposed gas suction tube 54. This tube is of large diameter and takes the place of the multiplicity of tubes in the first construction; and surrounding this tube is the wick 55 of the starting burner, whereby the tube is effectively heated preparatory to starting. The nozzle 53 discharges liquid fuel directly into the tube 54, and by means of a concave corrugated baflle 56 this liquid fuel is directed against the internal surface of the tube 54, which during normal operation is maintained at a very high heat. This sprayed and deflected oil is thereby immediately vaporized and mixes with the gas which is drawn upwardly into the tube 54 from the gas generating Zone in the generator. The baffle 56 is mounted on the lower end of the stem 57 which extends upwardly through the carbureter and out of the top thereof, the upper end of the stem being threaded at 58 in a yoke 59 mounted on the top of the carbureter, so that by turning the stem the baffle 56 can be adjusted toward or from the nozzle to vary the baffling effect. The check valve 27" is guided on the stem 57, and also on the stem is an adjustable sleeve 34 which varies the tension of the spring 35 for the air inlet valve 33 the sleeve 34 being threaded at 40 in the cap 38.

The construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 differs from the construction previously described as regards the arrangement of the gas suction tubes, the air inlet means for the mixing chamber, and the draft device for the starting burner. The oil pan'9 of the generator B has a central nipple 11* connected with the fuel passage 12 leading from the reservoir 1*, and on the nipple 11 is slidably mounted a valve 27 that engages an annular seat 30 so as to prevent the extinguishing of the flame by backfiring. The generator carries the suction tubes 15 which have their outlet ends 61 extending downwardly through the pan of the generator and terminating slightly above the valve 27", while their receiving ends 62 terminate in the generator directly above theflevel of the kerosene therein. The portion of each suction tube within the generator is inverted U-shaped so that the major portion of each tube is subjected to the flame. By passing down through the generator the oil in the latter is kept hot by conduction from the tubes and also the pan of the generator is heated. A starting burner 16 is arranged around the suction tubes so as to initially heat them and also to start the burning of the kerosene when the engine is cranked. The air for supporting combustion in the generator is admitted through an annular passage 63 formed between the lower part- 64 of the smoke bonnet or chimney 65 and annular wall 66 fastened within the lower end of the latter, such smoke bonnet or chimney 65 being fitted into the cover 67 of the carbureter body. The upper end of the passage 63 communicates with the atmosphere through ports 68. The products of combustion, when the engine is not operating, pass upwardly through the chimney 65 and escape tothe atmosphere through ports 69 around which is a bafliing ring 70 for preventing down drafts in the chimney due to the wind. A bafile or deflector 71 is arranged above the burner for properly directing the flame with respect to the generator and causes a blue flame, as does the defleet-or 19 in Fig. 2.

Air is admitted to the suction chamber C, which in this instance is located within the body of the carbureter, through the bottom of the latter, to which bottom is fastened a conduit 71 which is in the form of an elbow having at its outer end a ported cap 72 through which the air enters, and in the cap is a suction valve 73 guided on a stem 74, there being a spring for opposing the opening of the valve. The valve 73 is provided with ports 76 that are normally closed by ,a relief valve 77 guided by the stem 74, and so arranged that it will open when the engine backfires.

In the various forms of the device, the generator is formed by the starting burner or otherwise into a deep chamber having a restricted open area at the top so that an insufiicient quantity of air reaches into the chamber to support complete combustion. Consequently the flame occupies the upper part of the chamber, and between the bottom of the flame and the surface of the kerosene is a relatively deep belt of gas from which the gas for the explosive mixture is taken. Furthermore, the parts are so designed that during each suction stroke a small portion of the products of combustion is drawn down to the bottom of the gas tubes and enters the latter with the gas, thereby improving the mixture and betterpreventing the kerosene gas from condensing while passing to the engine. This mixing of a small quantity of the products of combustion improves the running of the engine.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and method of operation will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have desire to have it understood that the appara-- tus shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim l. The herein-described method of producing a combustible mixture ofair and gas from liquid fuel, which consists in heating a quiescent body of fuel to cause vapor to rise therefrom, drawing off the vapor, injecting a spray from the said liquid fuel into the vapor being drawn ofl", heating the drawnofl vapor and sprayed fuel to vaporize the liquid particles, and mixing air with the vapor.

2. The herein-described method of producing a combustible mixture of air and gas from liquid fuel, which consists in heating a quiescent body of fuel to cause vapor to rise therefrom, drawing off the vapor, injecting a spray from the said liquid fuel into the vapor being drawn ofi', heating the drawnoff vapor and sprayed fuel to vaporize the liquid particles, introducing products of combustion into the vapor, and mixing air with the vapor after the products of combustion have been introduced into the same.

3. The herein-described method of producing a combustible mixture of air and gas, which consists in burning a surface stratum of a body of liquid fuel, whereby a zone of gas is developed between the flame and the surface of the fuel, removing part of the gas from such zone and preventing it from reaching the flame while the remainder burns to produce the flame, introducing part of the products of combustion from the flame into the removed gas to dilute the same and prevent condensation of the gas, and mixing air with the commingled gas and products of combustion.

4. The herein-described method of producing a combustible mixture of air and gas, which consists in burning a surface stratum of a body of liquid fuel, whereby a zone of gas is developed between the flame and the surface of the fuel, removing part of the gas from such zone and preventing it from reaching the flame While the remainder burns to produce the flame, introducing part of the products of combustion from the flame into the removed gas to dilute the same and prevent condensation of the gas, heating the gas during removal from the said zone, and mixing air with the heated'gas and the products of combustion introduced thereinto.

5. A kerosene carbureter "comprising a generating chamber for containingkerosene and having a contracted opening at the top for the admission of a limited quantity of air to support combustion in the chamber with a zone of gas between the flame and kerosene, and means extending into the said zone for drawing off gas therefrom, said means extending through the flame and conducting the gas to a point beyond the flame, whereby the gas is prevented from burning in the flame.

6. A kerosene carbureter comprising a generating chamber for containing kerosene and having a contracted opening at the top for the admission of a limited quantity of air to support combustion in the chamber with a zone of gas between the flame and kerosene, a conduit having its lower end disposed in the zone of gas to draw ofl a portion of the gas while the remaining portion burns, said conduit passing out of the chamber and beyond the flame, and means for mixing air with the drawn-off gas at a point beyond the flame.-

7. A kerosene carbureter comprising a generating chamber for containing kerosene and having a contracted opening at the top for the admission of a limited quantity of air to support combustion in the chamber with a zone of gas between the flame and kerosene, an open bottom conduit having its lower end disposed in the zone of gas to draw ofl a portion of the gas, while the remaining portion burns, and means for mixing air with the drawn-off gas, said conduit being disposed in the region of the flame in the generator to be heated thereby and capable of drawing off with the gas a portion of the products of combustion from the flame,

the outlet end of the conduit being located beyond the region of the flame.

8. A kerosene carbureter comprising a generating chamber for holding kerosene and of such depth that the beginning of the flame of the burning kerosene is separated from the surface of the kerosene by a zone of gas of suitable depth, air admitting means for the chamber, a conduit extending through the flame in the chamber with its receiving ends disposed in the zone of gas and its outlet ends disposed beyond the flame, means for creating a" suction through the conduit to draw ofl gas and to draw the flame downwardly toward the kerosene andto draw in a portion of the products of combustion, and means for mixing air with the gas discharged from the conduit.

9. A kerosene carbureter comprising a generating chamber for holding kerosene and of such depth that the beginning of the flame of the burning'kerosene is separated from the surface of the kerosene by azone of gas of suitable depth, air admitti'ngmeans for the chamber, a conduit extending through the flame in the chamber with its receiving ends disposed in the zone of gas and its outlet ends disposed beyond the flame, means for creating a suction through the conduit to draw ofi ga and to to be ignited therein, a wick, means disposed within the chamber and in cooperative relation with the wick to be heated thereby for drawing ofl gas from a point between the flame in the generator and the kerosene, and means for spraying kerosene into the firstmentioned means for vaporizing kerosene to mixwith the gas.

11. A kerosene carbureter comprising a generator in the form of a chamber having a restricted opening at its top for the admission of air, a wick disposed around the top of the chamber for igniting the kerosene therein, a baflie disposed adjacent the wick, means for supplying kerosene to the chamber and the wick, means for drawing the flame downwardly toward the kerosene and for drawing ofl gas from the chamber at a point between the flame and kerosene therein, and also for drawing off part of the products of combustion from the flame, and means for mixing air with the drawn-off gas and products of combustion to produce the explosive mixture.

12. A kerosene carbureter comprising a mixing chamber open for the admission of air, a gas generating means for burning kerosene, means for drawing off into the mixing chamber gas from the generator at a point between the flame therein and the liquid kerosene, means for supplying air to the mixing chamber to mix with the gas, and a check valve for preventing a back draft through the generator in case of back fire through the carbureter.

13. A kerosene carbureter comprising a mixing chamber having means for admitting air, a gas generator for burning kerosene, means for supplying air to the generator, means for conveying away products of combustion from the generator, a connection between the generator and mixing chamber, whereby a suction in the latter causes gas to be drawn oil from under the flame in the generator, and means for admitting air to the mixing chamber.

14. A kerosene carbureter comprising a mixing chamber having means for admitting air, a gas generator for burning kerosene, means for supplying air to the generator, means for conveying away products of combustion from the generator, a connection betweenthe generator and mixing chamber,

whereby a suction in the latter causes gas to be drawn 011' from under the flame in the generator, and means for admitting air to the mixing chamber, said connection being located within and heated by the flame to prevent condensation of the gas passing through the connection.

15. A kerosene carbureter comprising a mixing chamber having means for admitting air, a gas generator for burning kerosene, means for supplying air to the generator, means for conveying away products of combustion from the generator, a connection between the generator and mixing chamber, whereby a suction in the latter causes gas to be drawn off from under the flame in the generator, means for admitting air tothe mixing chamber, said connection being located within and heated by the flame to prevent condensation of the gas passing through the connection, and a wick extending around the top of the generator and arranged .to initially heat the said connection.

16. A kerosene carbureter comprising a mixing chamber, a gas generator for burning kerosene, means for supplying air to the generator, means for conveying away products of combustion from the generator, a connection between the generator and mixing chamber, whereby a suction in the latter causes gas to be drawn ofi from under the flame in the generator, means for admitting air to the mixing chamber, said connection being located within and heated by the fiame to prevent condensation of the gas passing through the connection, a wick extending around the top of the generator and arranged to initially heat the said connection, and automatic means for maintaining aconstant supply of kerosene in the generator.

17. :A. kerosene carbureter comprising a mixing chamber, a gas generator for burning kerosene, means for supplying air to the generator, means for conveying away prodnets of combustion from the generator, a connection between the generator and mixing chamber, whereby a suction in the latter causes gas to be drawn ofl from under the flame in the generator, means for admitting air to the mixing chamber, said connection being located within and heated by the flame to prevent condensation of the gas passing through the connection, a wick extending around the top of the generator and arranged to initially heat the said connection, automatic means for maintaining a constant supply of kerosene in the generator, and an automatic regulator controlled by the suction through the carb-ureter for increasing or decreasing the supply of kerosene to the generator independently of the last mentioned means.

18. A carbureter including a shallow pan for holding liquid fuel, a burner associated With the pan for heating the fuel, whereby vapor rises, a mixing chamber, means between the mixing chamber and pan for drawing 01f vapor from the latter, a check valve between the said means and mixing chamber for preventing a back draft from acting on the flame to extinguish the same and blow out the liquid fuel from the pan, a valve adapted to open automatically under suction in the mixing chamber to admit air to the latter, and a relief valve for permitting a back draft through the mixing chamber.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES J. MUNDHENK.

Witnesses:

CHATTEN BRonwAY, PHILIP D. RoLLHAUs. 

